Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner Review (First Impression)

Hey hey hey!

So I have a quick impression review for you all (: So the other day when I was making for the purchase for the Urban Decay makeup setting spray, I saw that there was a promotional code for the Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner. So I thought why not give it a try? I was kind of interested ever since I saw Claire Marshall's promotional video about it.

"If easy was a crime, she was guilty".... lol trust Benefit to come up with something so cute XD


Just to make this post short, since you can read all about the eyeliner on Sephora, here's the sample sized eyeliner pen!

The new eyeliner comes with a little orange insert that keeps the product contained.




For those who don't know, the concept of this eyeliner is gel eyeliner in a pen form. So instead of having to invest in an eyeliner brush, you simply twist the product out, and with this applicator, apply the eyeliner as if you were using a pen.


Application photos:

For me, it's really hard to get a clean line... for several reasons.

1. When the pen dispenses the gel, it dispenses in a huge "blob". The product does not come out as you draw a line-- essentially you have to use the applicator to maneuver the blob and spread the eyeliner along your eyes. Not easy!

2. The applicator really doesn't go on that smoothy... it doesn't make perfect contact with your eyes, if that makes any sense? If I press harder, the applicator feels sharp and uncomfortable. Not to the point that it hurts me, but why would I put up with it if I have soft brushes that are easier and more comfortable to work with.

3. The applicator is rather stiff, and unlike its advertisement saying it has good flex, it really doesn't. So it's hard to blend out the eyeliner, making the result rather sharp and harsh.

4. Also, if you take a closer look at my lashes... you can see there's some eyeliner gel stuck to it. That was from me trying to line my upper lash line. Definitely does NOT work for that purpose since you can't use the flex pen to work the eyeliner between the roots of your lashes without poking your eyes out.


Didn't try to use the pen to line my upper lash line on this eye so it looks cleaner. I also feel like the pen kind of wipes off the eyeliner if you try to go over it too many times to blend it out, if that makes sense? You can kind of see in both pictures toward the end of my eye the eyeliner has this sheered out, almost translucent quality to it. In other words, it's hard to get the eyeliner to apply evenly.



So I didn't like how the eyeliner looked, so I used some black eye shadows to blend the eyeliner out to get a less harsh look

I don't know if you can see, but as I tried to blend the eyeliner out, since it already kind of dried and set, it flaked off in little bits. After I noticed that I had to be careful with blending with light pressure so I wouldn't disturb the gel liner already laid down.





About 4-5 hours later

Ah, tragic smearing XD So the formula is no good either.

I thought about trying it out again, this time just dispensing it onto my hand and apply with a brush, but I doubt the lasting power is gonna be any different, so I don't think I will bother. Asians beware! Especially if you have the same smudging problem as I do, this is not a friendly formula for those who have the same problems as I do!

Honestly if I were to rate this product, I would give it 0 out of 5. There really isn't anything that I liked about this product and I have no desire to try to practice getting better at using it since the formula doesn't work for me.

Hope some of you found this review helpful! I'm off to bed... zzZZZzz




<3 Frances

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Review

Hi y'all!

So today I have yet another base makeup review for you... =D I wonder will I ever get tired of trying new foundations? Hahaha.



So I don't own this foundation, but I did get a sample! Now here's a tragic story... the MUA gave me more sample than this... but most unfortunately the cap wasn't screwed on tight and it leaked T_T So I was left with this much to experiment with. Oh well c'est la vie XD

It's the liquidy type of foundation. I'm actually quite surprised to see a separation there... usually I only see separation in serum foundations? I got it in the shade No. 4

Naked face action!





Half face application. Really No. 4 should match me just fine, but I'm getting tanned with the summer sun T_T


Sorry about the hair. With foundation. I applied with my Sigma flat top synthetic kabuki brush. I think it probably would have applied better with a BeautyBlender-- this foundation has more coverage/is a bit thicker than I anticipated. Not saying it's a thick foundation because it's not, it's quite liquidy-- but I was anticipating for something really thin for some reason lol.


Without foundation

Overall effect





I'm actually surprised that this foundation's finish isn't more glowy, cuz you know, it's called the "luminous foundation". On the other hand, it looks more natural because it's not excessively glowy, know what I mean? :P







6 hours later!

By the way I did highlight my nose bridge, so that shine isn't from the foundation LOL.


I think it was looking slightly cakey, but that was probably because the brush deposited too much foundation-- I feel like if I had used a BeautyBlender instead it would've held up better.


Sorry if my lips look really scary. Was also doing my MAC lipstick collection swatches so my lips went through a lot that day XD









It help up okay... I feel like you can see the foundation is coming up a little bit? Slight patchiness on the oily nose? I also feel like this foundation makes me extra oily, but you can't really see it that well in those pics. In any case, this is one of those foundations that I consider don't wear gracefully over time for my skin type.


========================================================================

So! Just to make sure I have the best application for this foundation possible, I gave it another try on another day, this time using my BeautyBlender. Just wanted to see if the foundation holds up any better with a "tighter" application :P


Fresh morning application. I do want to note that I was using my new Diorsnow sunscreen, so that's why my face looks extra glowy compared to my other swatch photos. So for a more accurate finish of this foundation, you guys will want to refer to the swatches from before :)


You guys prob can't tell from the photos... but BeautyBlender definitely gives a better finish. It applies the foundation much less heavy than a brush. I definitely prefer using BeautyBlender with this foundation.









About 6.5 hours later.

Can you spot the oiliness on my nose?

If not, here are even closer-up pictures for you XD

Oiliness galore.


This foundation definitely makes the oily areas on my face EXTRA oily.


From afar it's not too bad. But like I always say... nothing ever looks too bad from afar XD

And because I was bored...

LOL. Just to demonstrate how ridiculously oily this foundation made me! I don't usually blot. I just took off the foundation after taking these photos because I found the oiliness too uncomfortable.


Conclusion: Definitely NOT a suitable foundation for combination (normal/oily) skin. If you're looking for a luminous foundation for combination skin, try YSL Touche Eclat. That one is glowy but doesn't make me extra oily. I don't think the GA Luminous Silk is that glowy anyway. Or if you want to play it safe, just use a matte foundation, spray it down with facial mist, and use some good highlights XD As always, I'd encourage getting samples to test out the foundations for yourself because everybody's skin reacts to products differently, so you might have a vastly different experience than I do! I think if anything Lasting Silk will probably be a better foundation choice for my combination skin; that foundation is pretty good with oil control. 

I do want to note that since I did get a sample of this foundation, and with the container leaking and everything... it might not be at its best/freshest? Just want to be conservative and throw that out there in case there's any misunderstanding between me and this foundation LOL. Anyway, I am no longer interested in buying this foundation. I think this foundation would be more suitable for dry/normal skin. By the way, GA always have a 20% off friends and family sale every year around June (I can't remember if it's 20% off with any purchase, or 20% with purchases of $125 and up, or if the $125 is only for free shipping qualification >.<) it has passed for this year, but you guys should take advantage of that to not pay the full price for this foundation, because it is definitely very pricey. Or if you don't want to buy it from GA website for shipping charges, sign up for Ebates and they also have a yearly 15% cash back on Nordstrom as well! Nordstrom is free shipping with any purchase. The 15% cash back on Ebates usually happens in May... which also unfortunately has passed. But just a heads-up for future references in case you need ideas on savings :)

Alrighty all! That's all I have for today. Happy Thursday! Then after tomorrow comes happy weekend =D Until next time, smile and be happy!


<3 Frances

My MAC Lipsticks Collection (July 2014)

Heyyy what's up everybody! (please imagine Donkey's voice XD)

So today's post has been a long time coming. Been wanting to do it but just never had the time. My humble MAC lipstick collection :P it's pretty small so don't get too excited XD Just thought I'd share... in case any of the swatch is helpful to anyone out there :P


As usual, starting off with a pic with bare lips as a reference

Decided to give the minimum eye makeup look another go. I actually think not lining the upper lash line works better for me when I want to go for a super minimum eye look @_@ This is just mascara plus a smidge of black eyeliner along the lower lash line, and a very light wash of eye shadow. I feel like when I line the upper lash line it looks too harsh? And kind of closes down my eyes too. It is such a deeply ingrained habit that I never thought about not lining upper lash line. Anyway glad I gave it a try, because I don't mind this look :P Of course I still think heavy eyeliner looks better on me, but at least I figured out a way to do a minimum look that I actually like XD


Ok, sorry about all the yammering -_- Here come all the swatches!

Oh wait, before I start, just want to quickly share my thoughts about MAC lipsticks.
So I pretty much only buy MAC lipsticks because they're on the "affordable end" when it comes to department store makeup. And they have some really nice colors. But I'm really meh about their formula. I do like how MAC lipsticks are long-wearing, and some matte formulas are really transfer-resistant. But in general I find them drying. I'm also meh about the "vanilla" scent (to me it really smells more like rubber... orz). I do like the colors, but I don't like to wear them. They definitely are not on the top of my list for go-to lipsticks. In general, I found that my lips have to be in good condition for these lipsticks to apply well.



1. Freckle-tone (Lustre)



Freckle-tone is a nude color. It's a nice nude that doesn't make me look terribly washed out. If you're MAC NC20 and looking for a nude lip color, freckle-tone is worth checking out!


Normally I will never wear nude with minimal eye makeup. But just for the purpose of the swatch XD


2. Funshine (Slimshine Lipstick)

Actually.... just realized these have been discontinued a long time ago -_- oh well. I already made the effort to photograph them so I'm posting the pics XD


The color is a bit washed out here, but it's a peachy color


It's kind of like the glossier version of "ravishing"

3. Ravishing (cremesheen)



Ravishing is a nude peach color


lol I look so grumpy


I really like Ravishing :P

4. Long Stem Rose (slimeshine lipstick)

Again, discontinued.




I think this color looks better on me when I was darker. Lol. It also looks a bit pinker in person.


5. Lady Danger (matte)



Lady Danger is a bright orange-red


I personally really like orange-reds. I think they suit me better than blue-reds. However be careful orange-reds tend to make your teeth look more yellow.... just a heads-up -_-

6. Viva Glam Cyndi (lustre)

Is this still available???? I feel like I always see it in store even though it's supposed to be a limited edition? Or maybe I'm making things up.


Cyndi is a super nice coral color.


I think Cyndi is really nice, subtle red. Great for beginners who want to try out red lippies! As a matter of fact, Cyndi was my very first red lipstick indeed XD




7. Ruby Woo (matte)





So I often hear ppl describe Ruby Woo as a "classic red". I'm not exactly sure what that means, but let's just go with it XD


Does it bother anyone when you apply a matte lipstick, the inner center part of the lips wouldn't take the color? So it looks like there's a "gap" between the lips? I've always had this problem but I don't know what to do with it ._.


See the gap??


8.Russian Red (matte)



I think Russian Red is essentially a deeper, richer version of Ruby Woo. Between the two, I prefer Russian Red. But honestly if I apply Russian with a light hand, then the effect is pretty close to Ruby Woo. Ruby Woo have have more blue tones than Russian Red.


There's the gap again -_-




9. Rebel (Satin)



Normally I like to apply Rebel very lightly, like as a stain.


It gives a light, purple-y tint to the lips. The pic is a bit washed out... it looks a bit more vibrant in real life.




Applied with a heavier hand. This is still not the full-on application. But since I don't ever do that so I didn't do it for this post either.


Honestly I don't see this lipstick as a satin finish... I feel like it's between satin and matte

10. Media (satin)



Applied with a light hand.


I don't normally apply this with a light hand, because it usually applies quite unevenly as you can see in the pic. Shame because otherwise the staining effect gives a nice berry color.




Heavy-handed

I like Media a lot for the fall/winter, but the biggest downfall of this lip color is that it applies so unevenly. Any tips?


I've actually done a fall look with this lipstick a long time ago. Check here if you're interested ^_^

Lastly, arm swatches for all the lipsticks mentioned ^_^






Hope some of you found this helpful!

What MAC lipsticks do you own? And which one is your favorite? :)

Hope you guys are enjoying your long weekend ^_^

<3 Frances